I posted this picture of my giant blob of a stash on flickr and twitter to show everyone what I live with every day in my studio. The only person I can blame for this mess is me.
Just a few short months ago I was in control and my studio was tidy and looked like this.
Now, when I say giant blob I mean ever growing. You know that horror flick about that goo from outer space that grows bigger after every time it eats someone? Well that's my stash. Growing exponentially all the time.
Is it too much stress buying? Is it really all in my head? Maybe I just don't have enough time any more to quilt and therefore the fabric getting used on projects versus fabric coming in is unbalanced? If I had more time will it not be out of control? I don't think there will ever be a clear answer.
Regardless, I am seriously a fabriholic. Suffering from one of the worst cases of fabriholism in history. Precuts especially are a weakness ...
It's time for a change and 2011 brings with it a new hope to once again take control of my creative space.
And it seems I'm not alone!
StashPact11, a flickr group started by Julie Frick, is a place where quilters can get support for their fabric addiction by talking with other quilters and pledge their goals for the upcoming year. Currently 72 members strong, if I follow the personal goals I put in writing, I'll successfully shrink my stash and grow my bank account.
Gone are the days of careless feeding of the giant stash blob. If you need to baste a quilt in the dining room because your studio has no space left from all the fabric you're in trouble. Not only does having all this fabric actually hurt my creative mojo in the studio, it's proving to be very challenging to find places to put it. And you can forget about finding a specific print you know you have but can't recover. Quite frankly, I'm embarrassed that I've let things get this out of hand. I feel selfish for completely taking over an entire room in our house.
Here are the goals I set for myself in the group:
- Stop buying fabric that I don't have a specific need for. Swapping to get what I need/want is OK. No more buying fabric just because It's on sale. If I need a specific solid or coordinating print for a gift project I will allow myself to buy JUST ENOUGH for my needs. Free stuff that comes in for Patchwork Squared is OK. And there is not a lot of free out there. Having to buy a lot of the fabrics for our patterns lately.
- Use only fabrics from my stash and scrap bin.
- Spend more time crafting and quilting (with the kids especially).
- Learn one new craft this year (I want to learn how to knit).
- I'm not allowed to start any new personal projects until I finish up some of my WIPs (or pass them along to someone who wants to finish them).
- Organize all my fabrics (including scraps) by color and destash stuff I will probably never use while I'm at it.
- Make more quilts for charity this year.
- TBD .... I'm leaving myself more room to improve. LOL :)
I'm shopping my stash first this year! Who's with me?
Put your hands up and back away from the fabric Mr. Walsh!
75 comments:
Ryan. That stash is amazing. Honest to goodness. Totally blown away. If you need any help taming the stash - I am sure there are plenty of peeps who would be willing to help :) You've got some great fabric in there!! Good luck with your resolutions.
Ok Ryan I am sending you a check for that flutterby!! seriously
Hi Ryan,
wow, your stash is bigger then some store have. Especially the precuts make my mouth wet ;) I only have 3 Jelly Rolls, one Layer Cake and one Charm Pack in my stash. Need more! ;)
I also tend to order, when something is on sale. Shame on me! ;)
I will use up my precuts too! Promised!
I'm so ashamed. I have you beat for stash. I have sooooo many precuts. I stoke them on a regular basis and love them oh so much, I can't make my self cut them. I will definately be on horders before you.
You have quite a formidable stash and I don't think you should be embarrassed by it! I like having a lot to choose from so when inspiration strikes, I have the supplies at hand (especially since I only buy when things are more than 25% on sale - which means that I don't feel compelled to buy something urgently for a project and have to shell out full price).
I did want to warn you though - if you take up knitting, and you see how many beautiful yarns there are out there, pretty soon there will be a yarn stash problem to contend with as well. Not that yarn stashing is bad... but it does cost money and take up room, trust me, I know! ;-)
Maybe you should change your name to 'I'm Just A Guy Who Buys Way Too Much Fabric' haha. Seriously that is the biggest stash I have ever seen. It still does look rather tidy though. It's time to use up some (most)of that stash! I'm sure many lovely quilts can be made with the treasures from your studio. I'm in the Stashpact too. I don't have as much fabric but it's still too much for the amount of sewing I do. Good luck with it all!
Wow! That is a pretty amazing stash! I think the one table as more on it than my entire stash put together! Lol.. But mine will grow as I continue to learn and accumulate. Good luck on the learning to knit. I taught myself to knit a little over a year ago, it can be quite rewarding!
Hi Ryan, wow that is some stashola!! My own stash building got a bit out of hand last year and so I too will be turning to my stash to actually work on the projects I bought the fabric for in the 1st place!!
Wow your stash is amazing! Seriously every fabric addict's dream.. a.k.a mine! lol :) good luck with taming it!
I thought my stash was bad, but you make me feel better! By the way I love the orange, blue and white quilt on the wall - is that from an available pattern?
I am already signed up to a fabric diet another blogger is having which is just an 8 week diet - but I'm hoping to get into some good habits. I came back to sewing last year and discovered a whole world of yummy designer fabrics. Being in the UK fabric is often over twice the price it is in the US. I've spent months buying stuff here and there and all those seemingly small amounts add up to a big amount - in terms of cost and fabric. I don't have the luxury of a studio so this stash is spreading into various rooms. I've started to get worried that I'll just end up stashing fabric rather than using it and enjoying it as it was intended. So this year I really want to 'shop my stash' as you put it and get back on creative track.
LOL Its so good to see, I´m not alone with all this guilt about bying to much fabric.
As you I have set the accuractly same directions for the year of 2011. Just bying fabrics for very important need in a actually project! No more charm packs, chocolate bars and more good stuff.
You have such a great blog..must add you to my bloglist!
Hugs, Helle
I'd be happy to join you in shopping from your stash this year! :)
Oh I have to agree with Nicole about the name change - it seems this guy has not been doing enough quilting if that's what you've got left!
This is a very timely post though because I too have been:
1. Vowing not to buy anymore fabric
2. Buying scrap bins and sorting them into colours
3. Making my first scrappy quilt this week in blues - which I'm really pleased with!
In saying that, if you EVER thought you needd to get rid of your Botany precuts, I am desperate for some as FQS don't stock it anymore and I didn't order enough when they did :-)
Leigh
I love your studio and I was told a person could not have too much fabric. I think you are right about having alot of fabric and when it gets in the way of creativity it is not good....I have the same problem...except mine is on a boat right now.
Enjoyed your post.
Well, I beat you on stash but you beat me on precuts. I got to tell you though, you are doomed with that first sentence, "Stop buying fabric that I don't have a specific need for." I tried that last year and every fabric has a specific quilt in mind to make "some day"! I have resolved this year not to buy any new fabric except for backings. Maybe that will work! So, I'll be joining you on the diet!
Great stash monster! I'm going to attempt to include my son more in my quilting ventures. He's old enough to start working with a sewing machine. Good luck with knitting (I love knitting) and like another commenter stated, beware the yarn stash!!
Oh Ryan!!! your post seems to be "my own words"...LOL
I'm dying fr yr Flutterby and Sherbet Pips......If you ever think to get rid of them, I'll be sooo happy to give them a new home ..Seriously =D
Good luck with yr New Resolution!
I shopped from my stash last year and will continue to do that this year as well - I am only buying backing when I need to - I hand quilt so I don't use pieced backings all that much.
You sure do have a lot of pre-cuts!!
Karen
http://karensquilting.com/blog/
Oh wow, I wish I had at least one shelf's-worth of your fabric! Heehee. I used to have much, much more when I used to sell fabric on ebay. I'd keep a piece of every print that I had. But now I'm down to a very, very small 17"x13" container. :-)
Oh, Ryan, your stash is not so bad at all:) Mine is much worse but I don't have precuts as they are a new addiction for me. You will pare down your stash given enough time but, gosh, it sure is hard to not buy when the designers are cranking out fabulous designs so regularly:) Have fun with it!!!
It looks totally neat and organized to me, at least compared with my messy fabric stash. I just spent three days folding and organizing an overflowing box of scrap pieces. As soon as I was done I cut out ten coffe cozies from the scraps and put everything back in place. Being orderly certainly helps my creative juices.
I made the same promise last May not to buy any fabric without having a project to use it on. I have been very good about keeping that promise and shopping my stash first.
Good luck with your resolutions!
I'll take your mess! ME! HERE! :) LOL
Good luck with your stash! I am currently in the process (since my machine is feeling under the weather) of reorganizing mine as well! More organization and storage hopefully! I wish you luck if you'll wish me luck back! LOL
I would be happy to shop from your stash if that's really what you want! LOL just kidding ... sort of.
Honestly it would be wonderful to have a stash like that to shop from! Enjoy!
Should all quilters have the same problem you have. It looks like you have "Moda Madness". And like many of the comments you received, I'd be glad to help you out in reducing the size of your stash. Or, nobody has mentioned this, but you said you had some UFOs that you are almost willing to give to someone to finish. Me, me, me. Hand raised in a the air. I'd love to take one of your projects and finish it. I'm sure my finished product wouldn't be anywhere near what yours would be. But at least it would be finished.
I have at least one friend with a much bigger stash than you, and I think my personal stash is pretty similar. Sometimes I do feel overwhelmed by all the fabric that I want to use, and it paralyzes me. Just reorganize it to some of the empty shelf space (and start sewing! You'll use it down to a manageable level in no time. Make big quilts instead of little ones! No more mug rugs!!
And I almost forgot...Yarn is so much fun to buy, too! Take up knitting!!
Wow, I am loving all of your charm packs! Those are my most favorite thing! Also, the Sherbert Pips!!! I want some, but don't have any yet.
For Christmas, my boyfriend bought me some new shelving for my sewing room, so I am working on getting it organized! So excited!
Good goals! I frequently resolve to use only fabrics from my stash to make a project, and that works for awhile. And dipping into the fabrics for charity quilts is an excellent use. What is it about those pre-cuts?? That delicious assortment of prints just begs to come home with us. Marketing genius.
I struggle with buying lines I like verses having some staple in there for swaps and things. And then once I get something I like I am afraid to use, cause what if a better project to use it in comes along.
Thanks for such an honest post!!
Wow! Thanks for making me feel MUCH better about my own stash! Good luck - I'm sure you'll make lots of wonderful pieces from all those great fabrics.
Okay, I'm in this with you. I'm just a beginning quilter, but have a huge fabric stash. I learned the hard way, "Don't go in a fabric store that is going out of business." The first time is just to look around, then you HAVE to go in every week after that, because each week it's all marked down even farther. You'll end up buying more of stuff you already bought with no clear thought in mind except, "I really like that print." If I had been a quilter back then, I can only imagine how much more I would have purchased. This fabric stash has chased me from Indiana to the east coast of Florida and onto the west coast of Florida. It's beating me down and I hope to seriously reduce this hoard of fabric and notions this year. Thanks for the push.
I have enough to enjoy and some extra, but I doubt my pile will get that out of control, lol. I do plan on making charity quilts with the extra fabrics I have, I think that is a wonderful way to use stash.
Debbie
My hand is up!!!
I'm with you on that one too. I have been trying to refrain myself from purchasing any new fabric as well as get some projects done. I am going to try a follow along block of the month on my blog using some blocks from the quilts of the underground railroad. I am hoping to get the first block up by next week, you could use some of your stash for that!
Wow, I'm a new quilter and that amount of fabric just blew me away! Really?? Is that called gluttony?? Just asking...........
WOW... I am quite jealous of your stash.
Boy, is my hand up! I agree with you on everything you said. I too have put myself on a fabric "diet". I've let things get way out of hand. Oh, to have the money back in my pocket that I have spent on fabric! Anyway, recognizing you have a problem is half the battle, isn't that what they say? Well, my friend, we definitly have a problem!=) I've actually been kind of excited since I made the decision to stop buying. I have been looking at my stash in a whole new light. I can't wait to see what you do with that lovely stash. Keep us posted and inspired, please!=)
Wow, I would have never guessed! Your room still looks fab! Good luck with your list! I'll be sharing what my stash looks like in a bit on my new blog, I actually hope to have a room like your one day :) It's what you love, so be it ;)
hugs to you, margie
Wow! Maybe I'm "enabling" but your fabric stash is utterly inspiring!! Besides....isn't the price of cotton going way up. So we'd better stock up now, right? :)
That's what I've been reading for about 6 months now, but the lady at my locally owned fabric shop confirmed it yesterday. Yikes! You'll be in great shape!! :)
Maybe you should start up a store on etsy to get rid of the stash. You could even put scrap bundles up there. I bet you'd be sold out fast!!
Here is a website that has great videos for learning to knit. I taight myself from watching videos online and reading Stitch N Bitch.
http://www.knittinghelp.com/
You do have a very impressive stash, but not even for the size, for how neat it is! Even your 'out of control' picture features nice, neat piles on the table! Good luck with your StashPact. I'm sure you'll be able to find lots of lovelies in your studio to create with this year.
WOW! I only wish I could have the stash that you have! I love that fabric! Send it my way if it would make you feel any better. LOL
Thank you for your voice on this. . can't wait to see the lovely things that you come out with. You ROCK!
what does one need that much Flutterby for?? :o)
Those Swell Jelly rolls can COME MY WAY! POR FAVOR!
Great goals- I hope you can follow through with your self control!
Me on the other hand, will just watch... and wait for those jelly rolls! :o)
Best of luck!
Ryan, Several years ago, I made the same promise to shop my stash first. Now and then I do need to get fabric for a quilt back, but I am still fighting the containment issue. I think the more you cut into your stash the more it multiplies. I do not buy fabric , yet I am still seeing the fabric increase. Hmmm. Hope it goes better for you.
Ryan,
LOVE your precuts, but I believe I have your stash beat quite hansomely. I have 3 cabinets that are about 3 ft x 6 ft ALL full of material, mainly scraps and cuts, fq's and others. I then have another cabinet 3 ft x 5 ft FULL of kits, and 3 LARGE plastic tubs full of kits. Everything is full...my workspace is now covered with pre-cuts and other material, I have SACKS/PKGS sitting around in the floor with more material/kits. I've very productive in finishing quilts, but much more productive in BUYING! My goal this year is to not buy any quilting material or kits, but to work with what I already have. Husband believes I have enough kits alone to last about 3 life times...what a shame!
I dont think you have too much stash Ryan, rather you don't have it organized in a way so it is all accessible for you to see. That I find is the biggest problem. When things are inaccessible, buried, hidden we tend to forget what we have, forget we need to use it. I think it stiffles creativity as our brain is bogged down with the stuff. I recently set up my studio after a ten year absence of everything buried in a closet. I have new shelves very well organized http://cyarnell.blogspot.com/2011/01/blue-scraps-challengeand-my-stash.html and it is amazing and enhances my creativity. Good luck and don't stress-acknowledgement is have the solution.
I don't know if I'm with you 100% but I'm with you to some extent. I have fabric that I haven't touched since I bought it, and that's just wrong. It's meant to be used, not stored. I also want to make more quilts for charity, and looked up some fast designs to put together for that purpose. Good luck to you with your goals.
If you need any help getting some of that gorgeous stash off your hands I would gladly take the jelly rolls!!!! :)
You are not along with the whole fabricaholic issue. There are many of us and you have all our full support!!!
Quiltingly Yours
Andrea
Surely you can't say your stash is out of control, it's more a case of inappropriate storage! LOL (from one fariholic to another!)
I would love to help you destash. I accept all free fabrics-) Especially those pips! I cant wait.
Seriously you should do some more give aways!
Good luck with your resolutions, Ryan!
It seems you are not alone with your serious addiction to gorgeous fabric. lol I particularly liked the comment that suggested you don't have a stash problem, you just need a better storage system to deal with it. Spoken like a true fabricaholic (which is why I understood it and can relate to her words. ;o)
I agree with the stash shopping, but what if it's an amazing sale?
As I said to Charlie... STASH SWAP! I fully support you using your stash first... =) Ive been organizing mine and have found seven (okkkaayyyyyyyyyy 12. YES 12) quilt tops that are almost finished. Those are first on the list. Good luck with the lessening of the stash!
I am right there with you! My creative side forgets I have limited time on my hands! So much fantastic fabric... not enough time.
I am right there with you! My creative side forgets I have limited time on my hands! So much fantastic fabric... not enough time.
I would have to agree with your addiction to pre-cuts. That is a TON of layer cakes and jelly rolls and what ever other ones you had. As for the rest of it, I don't feel it is too much as long as you can fit it NEATLY on your existing shelves. But always shop your selves first.
I too need to shop my own stash, Ryan. I was fortunate to win a stack of fat quarters from FQ last year and now I am just getting around to doing as I promised to do, to make some charity quilts. My table is overloaded, since I tend to drag out fabrics to decide which one is the just right one to use for a project. But I won't share a photo - it is messier than yours, trust me. I think the idea of swapping fabrics with other quilters via mail is a great one. I think this is definitely the year to go on that "fabric diet". (It won't be easy - I'm addicted.)
I love your blog, by the way.
Great goals, Ryan! It's hard to do, but sometimes you'll be surprised what you find (that you had forgotten about) when you shop your stash! And if you need a home for some projects you've grown tired of (or fabric that you now wonder why you bought!) you could donate it to our quilt ministry - you can feel good knowing that your projects will end up in the hands of people in need, and you'll clear out some of that pile!
I DREAM of having a stash like that!! DREAM of it!!!!
Wow, I have to say that I have the exact same fabric buying "problem". I too this year have pledged to not buy anymore fabric and use up what I have! Good Luck!!!
I'd be happy to take that Sherbet Pips off your hands. :-)
I'm not going to say that I won't buy fabric this year... but after going out and buying half a yard of blue velvet to back a stocking, then finding half a yard of the EXACT same blue velvet in my stash... I really do need to make an effort. It's obviously out of control if I don't even know what's there!
Ryan, if you have 'Hoopla' and 'Fresh Flowers' precuts, I'll buy them. Seriously.
I have a stash problem also, probably as bad as yours, but I am working off my stash. I have two quilts I'm working on now, all from scraps. I do want the above fabrics, though, so I will buy them, if not from you, then will get from a shop.
I will help you stick to your fabric goals...if you really want us to help you, then we should be able to 'check in' on you periodically, LOL.
Sometimes by sharing our "weak moments" with others, it helps us stick to our resolve to not do it again.........sure...just saying.
Good luck .
That shouldn't be embarrassing - it's absolutely drool-worthy. Not sure I've seen so many fabrics I love all in one location before. You should feel happy to be able to surround yourself with such beauty - not guilty.
(P.S. If you want a little more money and a little less stash, I've been trying to find another charm pack of sherbet pips to buy to go with the one I found on Etsy. ;) )
You're not alone at all, Ryan. I've been doing a bit of destashing since before the holidays, via Etsy. And I've taken up both Angela's Fabric Diet Challenge over at Cut to Pieces, and Judy's Sunday Stash Challege from Patchwork Times, to try and get a handle on buying less, and being accountable for what comes in, and what I use! I'll be seeing you in the StashPact11 group, too! My name is Meg, and my stash is out of control!
Yes, I'm a collector of fabrics, too. I've recently fallen in love with the "modern" style, and keep getting little bits and pieces, that have grown into a stash of its own. Except for "Sunkissed" that I love and gotta have, I'm going to shop the stash first!
As a quilter, isn't having all that fabric around you create a nice comfort zone? I once saw a bumper sticker that read "she with the most fabric when she dies, wins!" I think of that every time I order more fabric. Since fabrics often become "unavailable" I feel a need to always order things whether I have a plan for them or not - what if I do come up with a need and can't get it? You are envied by many with that awesome stash.
I can relate to your huge stash mess. Trying to turn my attached garage into my new sewing room but it is also filled with my other hobbies supplies....decorative painting unfinished wood surfaces. good luck Ruth
I can really take the Flutterby...seriously...LOL! No...seriously...
The Sunkissed bundle would sure perk up a dreary winter day.
just found your blog from one pretty thing (i want to make some mug quilts) and would love to swap you a knitting lesson for fabric, but alas don't live near you. good luck getting through all that awesome fabric!!
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